THE ORGANIC PRODUCT MARKET IN ITALY

26/09/2018

In 2017 the value of organic Made in Italy production was equal to 5.6 billion euros. Italy is the top European country in terms of export, and second in the world after the United States. Export of organic products generated 2 billion euros, equal to 5% of Italian agri-food export.

What is an organic product?

A product certified according to EU criteria in terms of land treatment, respect for the environment and ecosystem, and prohibition to use chemical, synthetic, or GMO products.

How do you recognize an organic product?

It will bear the EU organic farming logo: a green flag of Europe with white stars displayed as a leaf.

Who certifies organic products?

Specialized companies whose ID code is written on the package beside the EU organic farming logo.

How many farms in Italy are EU organic farming-certified?

64,210 farms, with 1.8 million hectares (about 4.5 million acres) of farmed land certified as at the end of 2016: 14.5% of the entire farmed land in Italy. Businesses and surface area grew by 15% in 2017.

How many people work in the organic product business in Italy?

According to an estimate by Assobio – an organization of organic and natural product processing and supply companies – the sector employs about 250,000 farmers, technical specialists, and certifiers involved in processing and supply. 22% of such workers are between 20 and 39 years old. Women manage 30% of the businesses.

Who uses organic products?

According to Nielsen data, 20% of Millennials (born between 1980 and 2000) purchases exclusively organic products, whilst 48% are occasional, but not exclusive, consumers. 45% of Baby Boomers (born between 1945 and 1964) are common purchasers of organic products, while the percentage is slightly higher – 46% – among members of Generation X (born between 1960 and 1980).
Again according to Nielsen data 56% of those who have children under 12 years of age, 53% of those with university degrees, and 58% of those with a high monthly wage are habitual consumers of organic products.